Seat-actuating mechanism for water-closets.



A. L. WALTENSPERGER.

SEAT AGTUATING MECHANISM FOR WATER GLOSETS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1913.

1,079,732, Patented Nov. 25, 19 13.

WITNESSES; M/VE/VTDI? A TTORNEY COLUMBI PLANOGRAI'H $0.. WASHINGTON, n.c.

ALEXANDER L. WALTENSPERGER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SEAT-AGTUATING- MECHANISM FOR WATER-CLOSETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 24, 1913.

Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

Serial No. 791,504.

To aZZ whom 2'15 may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER L. WAL-TENSPERGER, citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county ofWayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Seat-Actuating Mechanism for Tater-Closets, and declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a seat actuating mechanism for water closets,which may or may not be employed in connection with mechanism forcontrolling the water supply.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a counterpoise weightso mounted as to adapt it for gradually raising the seat to asubstantially vertical position without jar or noise occasioned throughthe seat or weight striking the bowl or fixtures.

A further object is to provide against the seat swinging back too farbut adapted to maintain the seat in a vertical position when not in use.

Other advantages and improvements will hereafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification:Figure l is a plan Viewof the seat closed upon a closet bowl. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thesame. Fig. 3 is a rear fragmentary elevation of a closet showing theseat and position of the weight when partially raised. Fig. 4 is a rearelevation of the position of the seat and weight when the seat is-raisedto a vertical position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the weight and afragmentary portion of the supporting arm partially in section, todisclose the adjustable screws carried thereby for limiting the swingingmovement of the weight.

Referring to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings :Adenotes the closet bowl; B the seat; O its hinged connection with thebowl.

D is a bracket secured to the seat having a rearwardly extending arm dfrom which projects an angular extension d, having a bifurcated end 6Z2pierced for the passage of a bolt 6Z3.

E is a counterweight suspended from the by adjusting which the swingingof the weight upon its pivot may be limited in either direction toregulate the normal position of the seat.

Having indicated the several parts by reference letters, theconstruction and operation of the device will be readily understood. Thecounterweight E being fulcrumed to the arm of the bracket D on an angleof approximately 85 from the vertical, upon the movement of the seatthere is created a constant but gradual friction between the lug e,carrying the weight E, and the tines of the bifurcated end (P of thebracket D. On depressing the seat to a horizontal position thecounterweight revolves on the bolt (is due to its own weight. Onreleasing the seat, the counterweight causes the seat to swing to avertical position but owing to the friction present between the lug eand the tines of the bifurcated end of the bracket D, the counterweightcannot assume its normal position as quickly as the seat rises, thuspreventing the seat from swinging back past the vertical position. Themomentum engendered, however, is sufficient to swing the counterweightto its normal position before the seat has the opportunity to swingforward again. Should the seat be manually pushed backward from itsnormal position the counterweight will also swing upon its pivot andreturn the seat to the angle at which it has been placed, as forexample, against the front of the tank, and the angle may be varied byadjusting the respective screws D and D Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is 1. In a seat actuating device for waterclosets, a counterweight supporting arm adapted to be attached to a seatand to extend both rearwardly and at an angle to its rearwardlyextending portion, and a counterweight pivoted to the angular extensionof the arm, whereby a graduated frictional resistance may be obtainedbetween the arm and weight to check the rapid upward moveweight betweenthe tines of the bifurcated portion of the arm.

8. In a seat actuating device for water closets, a counterweightsupporting arm adapted to be attached to a seat and to eX- tend bot-hrearwardly and at an angle to its rearwardly extending portion, its freeend being bifurcated to receive the supporting lug of a suspendedcounterweight pivoted thereto, the counterweight provided with aprojecting lug, and a bolt engaging said lug and carried by the arm forsuspending said weight between the tines of the bifurcated portion ofthe arm.

4. In a seat actuating device for Water closets, a counterweightsupporting arm adapted to be attached to a seat and to eX- tendrearwardly and angularly from its rearwardly projecting portion, acounterpoise weight pivoted to the angular extension of the arm, andadjustable screws adapted to limit the movement of the weight upon itspivot.

5. In a seat actuating device for water closets, a counterweightsupporting arm adapted to be attached to a seat and to ex tendrearwardly and angularly from its rearwardly projecting portion, acounterpoise weight pivoted to the angular extension of the arm, andadjustable screws carried by the arm adapted to contact with the weightto limit the movement of the latter upon its pivot.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

ALEXANDER L. WALTENSPERGER.

Witnesses:

GRACE E. WYNKOOP, SAM EL E. THOMAS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

